Lull in schedule provides time for Seahawks to regroup

Wednesday

Feb 19, 2014 at 7:45 PM

The UNCW men will head into the postseason plenty rested with only two games in the next two weeks.

By Eric DetweilerEric.Detweiler@StarNewsOnline.com

After Monday's blowout loss at William & Mary, UNCW men's basketball coach Buzz Peterson coach said the team's four-day road trip through Virginia felt like it spanned weeks. The Seahawks will actually get to stay home that long now after playing eight games in 17 days. UNCW returned to Trask Coliseum for practice Wednesday and won't leave town again until the Colonial Athletic Association tournament begins March 7. The team will head into the postseason plenty rested with only two games in the next two weeks."It all comes down to the way we prepare and practice," guard Tanner Milson said. "We're going to have to simulate some game-type situations in practice to get some momentum going – artificial momentum, confidence in ourselves."The CAA schedule stuck UNCW (8-21, 2-12) with a bye on the final play date of the conference season, making for an unusual season-closing stretch. The result is more sustained practice time than the team has enjoyed in months.Peterson called the break positive. He said he'll lean heavily on fundamentals, especially on the defensive end, with the extra hands-on time. Guard Chris Dixon said he's looking forward to getting up more shots, a situation not possible during the more hectic portions of the conference slate.The Seahawks broke into position groups for skill work early in Wednesday's session but they also scrimmaged. The coach said the competitions will be important to help players keep their conditioning."Basically, it's just self-motivation," Dixon said. "You've got to come in to work for yourself. As seniors, we have to get the team ready to play every day."Wednesday marked UNCW's first full practice since Peterson switched to a five-in, five-out substitution pattern for the home win over Towson on Feb. 10. Between games, the Seahawks only had time for walk-throughs and shoot-arounds, and the road-weary squad took Tuesday off. Peterson plans to stick with the unique rotation that netted back-to-back wins, but he also said he will experiment with other possible lineup combinations.The hockey-style line changes seemed to energize UNCW until Monday's clunker, when the team allowed 16 3-pointers and Peterson acknowledged the players were "mentally tired." The coach is confident the team will be able to recreate those good feelings when CAA newcomer College of Charleston visits on Saturday."This time off, this helps us out a little bit," Peterson said. "We'll get (the momentum) back. Homecoming should be a good crowd, a lot of excitement and everything. We'll be fired up and ready to play that game."

Eric Detweiler: 343-2261On Twitter: @edetweiler

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.